‘Yellowstone’ reveals first photos ahead of final season — with no sign of Kevin Costner
The return of “Yellowstone” is on the horizon.
Paramount released the first photos of “Yellowstone” Season 5 Part 2, which premieres Nov. 10 and is expected to mark the end of the juggernaut TV series.
The pictures feature shots of Kelly Reilly’s Beth Dutton, Cole Hauser’s Rip Wheeler, Wes Bentley’s Jamie Dutton, Luke Grimes’ Kayce Dutton and more.
Kevin Costner isn’t in the photos, as he walked away from his role as John Dutton after the first half of the show’s fifth season.
The plot for the second half of the season — which will feature only six episodes — remains under wraps.
Filming started in May following a long hiatus due to the WGA and SAG strikes. There was also behind-the-scenes drama and feud allegations involving Costner, 69.
The Oscar winner officially confirmed in June that he was not returning to the show.
“Thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love. I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue, Season 5 or into the future,” he said in an Instagram post.
“I loved it and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning,” he shared. “I love the relationships that I’ve been able to develop. And I’ll see you at the movies.”
Costner left “Yellowstone” to focus on his new Western film, “Horizon: An American Saga.” The first movie from the planned four-part installment flopped at the box office and was panned by critics upon its release in June.
The second film was supposed to come out in theaters in August, but is now premiering at the Venice Film Festival Sept. 7.
Rumors about Costner’s exit surfaced in May 2023 — the same month that it was announced the show would end with Season 5.
In June, Costner told People his decision to leave was influenced by the long break between the first and second half of Season 5, as well as the uncertainty of when the final batch of episodes would release.
There was ongoing speculation of tension between Costner and “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, too, which they’ve both denied.
Earlier this week, it was reported that “Yellowstone” may return for a surprise sixth season focused on Beth and Rip.
Reilly, 47, and Hauser, 49 have been negotiating potential new deals to stick with the franchise for months, according to Deadline.
Paramount has yet to confirm the rumors about Season 6.
“Yellowstone” debuted in 2018 and drew huge ratings with its story of the powerful and duplicitous Dutton family, who control the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
The series has spawned the prequel series “1883,” starring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and “1923,” starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren — both recounting the saga of the Dutton family.
More spinoffs are in development — including “The Madison” starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Fox, Kurt Russell and Patrick Adams. The upcoming series will reportedly be “a heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River valley of central Montana.”
“Yellowstone” Season 5 Part 2 premieres Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. on Paramount Network.
